The West County Democrats hosted Pulitzer Prize winner, Tony Messenger of the St. Louis Post Dispatch at our May meeting. Tony spoke on a range of issues that affect our State and the St. Louis region.
In reference to Glenn Koenen’s legislative update and the state of the State budget, Tony expanded on the fact that the Hancock amendment put an arbitrary tax cap on the State in 1980. Missouri is now spending $4 Billion less than the amount we were spending in 1981– making Missouri one of the poorest states in the country. Even the recent spate of increased property tax assessments in St. Louis county can be linked to the shortfall in spending by the State. Tony commented that this self-inflicted poverty illustrates everything that is wrong in our state politics today.
On the proposed City/County merger that was recently withdrawn, Mr. Messenger did a great job of connecting the dots for us. Originally supportive of the effort, Tony realized that the Better Together team had failed to build a coalition among the local communities and had nothing in their proposal to improve equity in St. Louis. Moreover, the specifics of the plan would greatly empower the existing county executive to make structural changes in governance without a confirmation of the citizens.
The indictment of Steve Stenger, the St. Louis County executive, was likely a factor in the Better Together proposal being withdrawn.
Still a proponent of the benefits of a City/County merger, Mr. Messenger recommended and incremental approach:
- Re-enter the City of St. Louis into St. Louis County.
- The county executive could sponsor multiple services mergers only where they make sense.
- Most importantly– a supportive coalition of civic leaders and institutions must be engaged and unified.
Tony Messenger’s knowledge of condition and politics of our region is impeccable and we greatly appreciate his taking the time to meet with us to share his insight. If you would like to see more, we recommend a subscription to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch where Mr. Messenger has a regular column.
Legislative Report from Glenn Koenen
May 13, 2019
Federal Items:
“Civility” in the U. S. Senate: “Sen. Dick Durbin suggested Tuesday [5/7/19] that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wasn’t putting election security legislation up for a vote because Republicans benefited from Russian interference in the 2016 election… McConnell fired back…blasting Democrats for mocking Sen. John McCain (R – AZ) and then former Governor Mitt Romney for warning about the danger of Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
Legislative gridlock dominates Washington, with critical legislation getting stuck in the muck.
And, bi-partisan approaches to international issues (such as trade and Iran) are shunned by Trump.
Increasingly, Congress is home not to Democrats and Republicans but to Trumpettes and anti-Trumpers. Neither side has the advantage to force the system to work. For example, since the Trump tax cuts the deficit has been growing by more than one trillion dollars a year, requiring a hearty expansion of the debt limit. Congress needs to act by March 1, 2019…
Still, Trump’s greatest legacy could be fundamental changes to how the federal bureaucracy works. For example, the Office of Management and Budget has proposed – and seems determined to enforce – new calculations on how the poverty level is calculated, by reducing the impact of inflation. This would result in millions fewer Americans living in poverty – and being eligible for food stamps, school meals and other benefits, allowing deep cuts to those programs.
State Items
In April, Missouri taxpayers sent Jefferson City about $700 million more dollars than they did in April 2018. The federal tax cuts resulted in a windfall for a Missouri budget which before Tax Day had been tracking 5% below last year’s anemic numbers.
Don’t worry: scheduled tax rate cuts and a desire by legislators to not increase Missouri revenue will keep the state’s budget in a precarious spot in the coming Fiscal Year.
Missouri’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget is just under $30 billion. Despite that number (an increase from this year), schools, Medicaid, corrections and other basic functions remain woefully underfunded and Missouri state employees seem likely to remain the least paid in the nation.
Once again, Missouri is trying to lead the nation in restrictions on abortion. Despite federal court actions in response to proposals in other states, this year’s package of anti-abortion bills (led by a fetal heartbeat bill) will be in play during this last week of session.
Effectively dead: the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program bill. Though proposed by Republicans (and in effect in 49 states), a few conservative Missouri senators place privacy of medical information above public safety. Also in trouble, the Guns Everywhere Bill – though supporters already promise to be back next year with an even broader proposal. (Remember, guns are already legal in the Capitol.)
CLEAN will be “improved” by a new amendment from the legislature on the November 2020 ballot.
“Reform” to the Title IX review process on sexual actions in colleges – though wanted by a couple of rich Republicans – seems dead this session. New federal rules will probably make a Missouri bill moot.